In The News

Top Bush administration officials say the chances of a terrorist attack against Americans here and abroad have increases substantially – to level orange. They cite specific intelligence that had corroborated by different sources.

Russia joins France and Germany in calling for beefed-up arms inspections in Iraq, complicating matters for the U.S. in “the war against the war” in Iraq.

A voice believed to be Osama bin laden urges Muslims to help defend Iraq in the even of war and called for new suicide attacks against the U.S. and its allies. The tape was released this week.

President Bush challenges the United Nations to “rise to its responsibilities” to confront Iraq. This on the eve of a U.N. session that may determine if war is an option.

Despite its bigger price and longer length, “Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix” will hit bookstores June 21 with a first printing of 6.8 million.

A terrorist group in northern Iraq is holding two ethnic Kurds hostage after the assassination of a popular political leader.

Enron News – February 8, 2003

California kicks Enron out of the state’s energy market because the former energy trading company refused to post more collateral to cover potential damages from meter-reading errors. Separately, two of Enron’s top electricity traders have pleaded guilty to federal wire-fraud conspiracy charges in connection with their attempts to manipulate California’s power market.

Technology News – February 8, 2003

Sun Microsystems releases its first software for managing the assignments of multiple computer serves.

Music news – February 8, 2003

Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Steve van Zandt and Tony Kanal will perform a tribute to the late Joe Strummer and music of the Clash at the 45th annual Grammy Awards on February 23. Also set to perform – Eminem, Ashanti. Dixie Chicks, Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor and Norah Jones.

Pepsi signs a $3-million agreement with hip-hop activists who denounced the company for dumping a commercial by controversial rapper Ludacris. “This whole thing started because Pepsi culturally disrespected hip-hop,” said Ben Chavis, president of the hip-hop Summit Action Network. “Pepsi is going to distribute funds that will positively impact the hip-hop communities. That’s a complete turnaround.”

Michael Jackson’s two-hour “20/20” documentary by British journalist Martin Bashir, topped the ratings for last week, clobbering “American Idol.” Jackson got a 27.11 share and “Idol” got a 20.06 and 19.27 share for two broadcasts.

New sensation – Rapper 50 Cent and his major label debut, “Get Rich or Die Trying,” is the biggest sales sensation – with 872,000 copies sold in just four days, according to Nielsen Soundscan. 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, gained fame in rap circles in 2000 for “How to Rob,” a crime rhyme that mocks celebrity rappers.

Sony music, in a dispute with rock act Incubus, says they band owes them four more albums under an exclusive contract. But Incubus, whose 2001 album “Morning View” has sold an estimated 20 million copies, files a lawsuit to invoke a California law that limits contracts of entertainers to seven years.

Capitol Records releases “Lights Out” by Lisa Marie Presley to radio stations this week. Will it be a hit?

Television news – February 8, 2003

Joe Connelly –writer-producer – developed/created shows such as "Leave It To Beaver” and “The Munsters.” He was 85.

Wow – Flim-flammed - Some 25 million viewers, watching Joe Millionaire” pick between the final two women and purported fortune, saw Joe confess that he

was not rich and the show ended before he picked either of the woman, leaving viewers feeling as if they were the ones being deceived. He’s actually Evan Marriott. Lots of fans complained to Fox-TV.

Rural activist Dee Davis doesn’t want CBS to move ahead on a new reality show called “The Real Beverly Hillbillies” where a real rural family will move into a Beverly Hills mansion and their day-to-day encounters will be chronicled.

On Nickelodeon – Cartoon “Fairly Odd parents” – a show about two well-intentioned but sometimes bumbling fairies who live in a fishbowl. They empower 10-year-old Timmy, the only one who knows about them and help protect them from his mean baby-sitter Vicky, and his benignly idiotic parents, Mr. And Mrs. Turner. Timmy is often left with Vicky-the-yeller and they get in odd situations.